Abstract
Objective. To determine the consequences of mast cell (MC)–chondrocyte interactions. Methods. Cocultured cells were analyzed histochemically, morphologically, biochemically, and functionally. Results. Cocultured MC adhered to the chondrocytes and remained viable. Chondrocytes cocultured with nonactivated MC produced more proteoglycans than did chondrocytes cultured alone, and these proteoglycans possessed an intact hyaluronic acid—binding region. In contrast, most of the proteoglycans produced by chondrocytes cocultured with activated MC were degraded. Conclusion. These studies indicate that a complex interaction occurs in which the nonactivated MC stimulates biosynthesis and the activated MC degrades cartilage proteoglycans.
Original language | American English |
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Pages (from-to) | 325-335 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Arthritis and Rheumatology |
Volume | 35 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 1992 |